If Dubai is known for its Burj Khalifa, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is best represented by King Fahd's Fountain, also known as the Jeddah Fountain, a mighty plume of water which the Guinness World Records claim as the tallest in the world at 300 meters!
Impressive facts and more impressive figures about the Jeddah Fountain.
- The first fountain was built between 1980 and 1983 with water height reaching 140 meters.
- The current fountain (the second which was built) was finished in 1985.
- Most fountains operate using fresh water; the Jeddah fountain uses sea water.
- Seven thousand tons of concrete were used just to construct the pump house which is the height of a five story building.”
- All the machinery and logistics are 20 to 30 meters under water in order to blend with the surroundings.
- The water leaves the 126mm nozzles at 42 bar (609.16 pounds per square inch) and at the incredible speed of 375 kph.
- The plume of water, when it hangs in the air for 15 seconds or so, weighs in excess of 18 tons (18,750 kg).
- Five hundred high intensity spot lights mounted on five custom-built islands illuminate the jet.
- The whole fountain operation is computer controlled and is maintained daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, half-yearly and yearly.
- Ten technicians, including rotating specialists and electricians are dedicated full time to the fountain’s operation.
- The only fresh water in the entire self-contained fountain complex is for cooling the electric motors of the main pumps and for the air-conditioning in the pump-house.
- The plume is taller than the Eiffel Tower.
Sourced from an Arab News article written on 10 September 2005. Read the full article here.
► JVC or more popularly known as Pepe Cabrera blogs at X-Spot (Pepe in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). He is "a pure Caviteño, an only child, born and raised in the province of Cavite in the Philippines, got married at 20 and have two beautiful daughters. In the Philippines, he resides in Antipolo city; in Saudi, he lives in Jeddah. You can also view his wonderful photographs of Jeddah here.
► Read our previous issues' Lens and Light articles.
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